Artwork courtesy of TheHogs.net and myself

If you don’t have a copy of the 2012 NFL offseason schedule, you might not know that Nike is unveiling their new official jerseys for all 32 NFL teams tomorrow. You might also not know that most of those 32 (or 64 if you want to count home and away, wait, plus alternates…) uniforms aren’t going to change much. What you may know is that the NFL Draft begins on Thursday April 26th at 8pm, but even the event itself if full of unknowns. Redskins fans are also awaiting the (hopefully) eventual re-signing of their captain on defense, Linebacker London Fletcher. With all this uncertainty, I am here to make one guarantee.

This Washington Redskins team will officially be the beginning of one era and the end of another. That “other” era I would be referring to is the twenty-year period from 1992 until now. Twenty years of nonstop coaching changes, quarterback carousels and free-agent busts. Whether the Redskins select Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III is irrelevant. Washington is in the midst of it’s first full official offseason with Mike Shanahan at the helm and things have already drastically changed. Last year, the team attacked the draft with a “trade back and stack” strategy. I believe I speak for all Redskins fans when I say “thank God we didn’t draft Gabbert or Ponder”. They also signed some low-profile but key free agents including Barry Cofield and Stephen Bowen.

They are now cutting the rest of the dead weight from Redskins’ teams past. LaRon Landry was not re-signed and is now a New York Jet. Last year was headlined by the dumping of Albert Haynesworth to New England and Donovan “McBitter” McNabb to Minnesota. This year, the Skins cut Safety Oshiomogho Atogwe after he couldn’t stay healthy for most of the 2011 season. It seems as though the only recognizable faces from the most recent team to have success in burgundy and gold are Santana Moss, who with the signing of Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan has even more competition at receiver and Chris Cooley, who’s also coming off of an injury and has Fred Davis currently sitting in his starting position. The roster has almost been completely flushed.

Although the previous era has almost been completely phased out, many questions will still remain until the Redskins take the field week one. Will Mike Shanahan break his current streak of sitting rookie QB’s until mid-season? Will Kyle Shanahan adapt the offense to his quarterback or simply expect his quarterback to adapt to the scheme? Will Dan Snyder continue to win favor with fans after his bold move to the second pick and his case with the NFL over “capgate”?

These questions will all remain unanswered for some time but the question about whether or not the Redskins have made the right moves has clearly been answered. We can only hope that these moves pay off sooner rather than later. What your Washington Redskins are going to do over the next five months will set the stage for the next twenty years. If this statement scares you, just remember, it could be worse.

Follow me on twitter @KMawyer2.

September 11, 2011; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder stands on the field prior to the Redskins game against the New York Giants at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-US PRESSWIRE

During this hectic off-season, there have been many transactions taking place. Free Agency is a very busy time of the year and is far from over. So far, the Redskins have been making some key pickups that definitely have the chance to improve the Franchise and hopefully lead to a winning season.

After the recent Tim Tebow trade, I have some advice for Dan Snyder: Do NOT pick up a high-profile ‘backup’ for ANY position. Having a star player warm the bench will only lead to controversy and unnecessary media attention. The Jets’ starting QB, Mark Sanchez, has to know the pressure is on. The relentless NY media will be calling for Tebow as soon as Sanchez screws up, which can lead to a divisive locker room and tension between the players. Regardless of the Jets organization announcing that Tebow will be a “wild cat QB” I can assure you that, if Sanchez does not lead them to a 3-0 start, Tim Tebow will be starting by week 4!

So I am hoping the Redskins do not make the same mistake and put any unnecessary pressure on any of our key starters by bringing in a star player to play ‘backup’. This might seem like a no-brainer to any sensible General Manager, but as we can see, sometimes GMs do make mistakes.

November 20, 2011; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins inside linebacker London Fletcher (59) gestures on the field against the Dallas Cowboys in the third quarter at FedEx Field. The Cowboys won 27-24 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-US PRESSWIRE

With the start of Free Agency buzz dying down, what time is better than now than to grade the Redskins on the moves made up to this point. At first glance, you have a few notable moves that show major promise for the future success of the franchise. I will address the losses along with the additions for a better comparison.

Addition(s): Cedric Griffin – CB/S , Brandon Meriweather- FS

Losses: Laron Landry- SS , Chris Horton- S

Yet to Re-Sign: Byron Westbrook- DB, OJ Atogwe- FS, Phillip Buchanon- DB

GRADE: B

I give the Redskins a solid B because they managed to sign two quality replacements of which one of them can adequately play Safety and Corner back.  It’s tough to lose Landry but the Redskins have been without him for a great portion of his career in Washington due to injury. The same can be said about Horton also. The promise of these two signings is strong enough to justify this grade.

Addition(s): Pierre Garcon- WR, Josh Morgan- WR

Loss: Donte’ Stallworth- WR

Yet to Re-Sign: David Anderson- WR, Malcolm Kelly- WR

GRADE: B-

This is a decent upgrade at Receiver for Washington. The addition of Garcon is key because he was one of Peyton’s consistent targets in Indianapolis last year. He brings a champions mentality and work ethic to Washington. Hopefully this piece can be fit in with the rest of the dangerous weapons our NEW Quarterback will have in his holster.

Morgan is coming off a season ended by injury and is hoping to prove that he can come back and compete for a role in Washington’s offense. Based off what Washington is losing, the Redskins got better in this area.

Addition(s): Kory Lichtensteiger- OG, Will Montgomery- C

Losses: None

Yet to Re-Sign: Sean Locklear- T

GRADE: A

The offensive line has been the most inconsistent part of the Redskins team. To re-sign two existing players that are already familiar with the complex zone blocking schemes is a major plus. We could use Locklear back on the team but maybe Washington is saving that spot for a young hungry rookie?

Addition(s): 1st Round pick 2 in the 2012 draft

Losses: 1st Round pick 6, 2nd Round pick 6, 2 future 1st Round picks

GRADE: A+

This move showed that Washington is serious about making the bold moves necessary to win right away. This trade all but solidified that Mr. Robert Griffin III will be making Washington his new home. This is the potentially the franchise player that Washington has been waiting for. The re-signing of Rex Grossman gives Washington a quality back up that doesn’t have to learn the system and that can assist the young rookie in adjusting to learning quickly. I love this move and believe it made Washington an instant contender in the NFC.

Addition(s): None

Losses: None

Yet to Re-Sign: London Fletcher- ILB, Rocky McIntosh- ILB, Keyaron Fox- LB

GRADE: F

There is no way Washington can be successful on defense without bolstering the middle of the defense. Until the Next London Fletcher becomes available in the draft, we need the current London Fletcher back in Washington! #ReSign59 has been in full affect on Twitter and I wonder how effective it has been. McIntosh and Fox both are just as important in the scheme of things too. Fox really stepped up and showed that he too can be a force for the Redskins late in the season. To not have signed anyone at linebacker to date scares me and justifies a failing grade for not having a better game plan.

Overall Grade: C+

There is no way I can fail the team’s overall progress however they aren’t too far off. Washington has made some good moves up to this point. Enough to give them an overall passing grade.  The deal made to secure the addition of Griffin III, in my opinion, would be cancelled out if we can’t bring Fletcher back. No team can afford to lose that caliber of a player. So Redskins Nation join me in doing our part to ensure that the Redskins have a successful Off- Season. Join me in the #ReSign59 campaign. Let London know exactly how important he is to our team by attempting to make #ReSign59 a National Trending Topic.

 @The_SkinsSource